Author: Elizabeth Mullins

Citizens of God’s kingdom understand the importance of worship. We believe worship includes singing and praise, but it is also a practice that involves our whole lives.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Romans 12:1

We invite you to read below the conclusion of a free resource from Grace Communion Seminary (GCS), What Is Worship? A Survey of the Bible.

And check out these GCI worship resources.

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Let’s conclude with a simple test that encapsulates some of the major themes of worship. To analyze a worship practice, we need to ask these questions:

• • Does it glorify God? That is one major purpose of worship.
  • Does it build up the body of Christ? That is another major purpose.
  • Does it help us be what God wants us to be in the world? Does it have practical results in our lives?

Of course, no matter how carefully planned and carried out, our worship is never perfect. This is due largely to the fact that our lives are imperfect. We try to be living sacrifices for God, but we don’t always do that right. As some have said, the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off of the altar. Like the people of ancient Israel, our lives are mixed with sin.

We do not have the faith that we’d like to have. We do not have as much love as we’d like to have. We do not pray as well as we wish we could. Our songs do not express our emotions as well as we’d like. We would like to present our king with sparkling jewels, but we have only plastic trinkets to give!

How do we face our shortcomings in worship? We respond in the same way that we respond for other areas of failure: we look to Jesus. He has offered the perfect sacrifice for all of us; he has given his life to God as an act of worship for all humanity. He is our substitute — this is what theologians mean by a vicarious sacrifice. What he did counts for us. He had no sins of his own, and yet he gave himself as a sacrifice for sin — our sins.

Many Christians realize that Jesus was our substitute when it comes to sacrifice. “Christ died for us” is part of the New Testament message. He has given the worship that we could not. But Jesus is our substitute in other ways, too, because our lives are hidden in him (Colossians 3:2), and he lives in us (Galatians 2:20). The prayers that we offer are not perfect, but we pray in Christ’s name, and he intercedes for us. He takes our defective prayers, removes the parts where we ask amiss, adds the details that we have neglected, and offers those prayers to God as perfect worship.

Because Jesus Christ is our representative, he offers perfect worship on our behalf, and our role is to join him in what he is already doing for us. Whether it is sacrifice, prayer, study, or response, he has already been there and done that for us. The worship he gives to God is a vicarious worship, done for us, on our behalf.

We do our best to “get it right,” but part of being “right” is admitting that we aren’t always right (1 John 1:8). So, the last word on worship is that we must look to Jesus as the one who is doing it right for us, and he invites us to join in what he is doing.

By Michael Morrison
GCS President

Kingdom Living includes glorifying God and building up the Body of Christ through worship. Read below the stories of GCI congregations who are equipping young people in the practice of worship.

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Mindoro, Philippines

What happens when a match is struck and its flame lands on dry leaves, ready to burn? The fire ignites, fanned by a wind so strong that it spreads beyond containment. This fire can melt even the hardest hearts.

Such was the experience at the first three-day Worship Weekend on Mindoro Island. Forty-one young people from three churches across Mindoro (Bansud, Naujan, and Rosacara) gathered to encounter the Lord in deep, transformative worship.

The theme, “Alab,” is a Filipino term that primarily translates to “blaze” or “flame” in English, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe intense emotions or passion. The theme was more than just a concept. It became a movement, a revival that stirred hearts to worship God passionately — not just in song, but through talents, skills, and lives dedicated to his glory. Participants bonded, prayed, and learned together, discovering worship as more than an act but as a way of life — centered on Jesus.

One enriching session was the Workshop on Worship and Liturgy, led by Pastor Jep Parcasio. The insights he shared deepened the participants’ understanding of why worship matters — not just the songs we sing but the sacred practices like communion, offerings, and the worship calendar. Christ-centered worship influences the rhythms of our lives, shaping our priorities and our devotion to God. Worship is not just about rituals but a personal response to God’s glory.

The final day was a culmination of everything learned and experienced. Young people showcased their skills during a mini recital, applying their newly learned skills and knowledge in playing instruments and tambourine dance — offering their talents as an expression of worship.

Each of the skill teams had one student be part of the worship team who led the closing song – as part of their recital performance. The song they sang was “Mahal na Mahal Kita Panginoon,” which is “We Love You, Lord” in English. The team was composed of different instruments such as guitar, beatbox, bass, keyboard, vocals, and even tambourine-dancing. The worship ended in joyful singing and dancing as the participants were also happy to witness a moment of practice and learning as it came to fruition.

The group then went to Bansud Beach, where the celebration continued in a profound way — the baptism of 10 young people. Onlookers witnessed the powerful declaration of faith, as these young souls stepped into the water and publicly declared that they belong to Christ!

We pray that the embers lit at this gathering will not fade. They will continue to spark a greater flame in congregations and communities, drawing more hearts to worship the God who is worthy of all praise. Praise God, this is a good beginning. The fire has been kindled, and it will not be contained.

By Jessica Joy Pamor, GC Pili Youth Leader
Bicol, Philippines

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Ladson, South Carolina, US

We celebrated Youth Sunday on June 15, 2025, with a vibrant and spirit-filled worship service led entirely by our young people. From the moment the service began, the youth stepped confidently into leadership roles — serving as greeters, ushers, and leading in both the opening and intercessory prayers.

The Youth Praise Team led the congregation in dynamic worship. This was followed by a powerful musical selection from the Youth Choir that stirred hearts and glorified God. The youth also conducted the offertory, showing their growth not only in faith but also in service and responsibility.

Pastor Tommie Grant Jr. delivered the sermon, encouraging the youth and the congregation with a timely and uplifting message. Following the message, Pastor Grant invited all the youth to the front of the sanctuary. In a touching moment of unity and blessing, the entire congregation surrounded them in prayer, laying hands on them and speaking words of affirmation, hope, and purpose into their lives.

The celebration continued with a fellowship meal served after the service, offering an opportunity for deeper connection and joyful reflection on a meaningful day.

Youth Sunday was a beautiful reminder that our young people are not just the future of the church — they are a vital part of the church today.

By Clara Martin, Hope Avenue Champion
Ladson, South Carolina, US

 

Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17: 1-3 ESV

On the eve of his crucifixion, we overhear Jesus reporting to the Father that those entrusted to him would receive eternal life. But eternal life according to Jesus is not just about a distant future. It’s a relationship that takes our lives in a new direction. To know the Father and Jesus Christ is to experience life in the kingdom now.

In verse three, the Greek word ginosko (to know) implies intimacy, not mere knowledge about God. Knowing God like this means we form an ever-deepening personal connection of love and trust through honest communication with God. Dallas Willard calls this a “conversational relationship,” like a parent and child might have. I can tell when my kids are happy or out of sorts, but it means everything that they would share it with me, because it deepens our bond and connection.

Similarly, God wants us to share everything with him. This interactive conversation fosters a deep knowing and a lived experience of being children of the Father. When we share our joys, our fears, and doubts with God it opens the door for him to act in our lives to bring transformation and draw us closer to him.

Prayer Practice
Take a moment now. Speak to God — out loud if possible. Tell him what’s on your heart. He’s listening. And as you continue to live in his kingdom, carry his love and joy into the lives of those around you.

By Carmen Fleming
Orlando, Florida, US